Furore over acting 'kaptein'

The United People's Movement has rejected the inauguration of Martin Dentlinger as the acting Rehoboth Baster Kaptein. Dentlinger's inauguration was confirmed by a UPM councillor of the Rehoboth town council, Lennie Pienaar, who said that former Kaptein John McNab had appointed Dentlinger as his successor. Dentlinger in the past served as advisor to the kaptein.The UPM however disputed this, saying it was not done according to the paternal laws of the Rehoboth Baster people. The paternal laws are a set of laws enacted by the Rehoboth Baster community in 1872.According to UPM Member of Parliament Jan van Wyk, McNab was supposed to officially inform the community of his intentions. “With this illegal action he (McNab) has now voluntary relinquished his position as kaptein,” said Van Wyk. Last week, Dentlinger on Facebook invited Rehoboth Baster community members with “pure motives” to attend a meeting on Sunday, 21 January.According to his post the meeting was an initiative of the Kapteinsraad (Kaptein's Council) where the kaptein was expected to make some announcements regarding the way forward. Dentlinger stated on Facebook that a Rehoboth Baster community member can become a member of the association through private contracts at the age of 18. This membership is inalienable.According to him, this is established by an English law dating back to 1872, which reportedly gives members a safe haven under the Kapteinsraad.“This confirms that a community may determine its own jurisdiction as belonging to the public system. As a private community, RBG has the right under English law to own their own court ('Basterhof'), 'Treasury' as a private bank, their own legal form and jurisdiction. Their knowledge of the law offers them the right to create their own environment that provides protection and immunity for their private members,” he said. Dentlinger has refused to comment.This, however, did not sit well with some members of the Rehoboth community, and prompted the United People's Movement to reject Dentlinger's announcement on behalf of its members. In a statement signed by Van Wyk, the movement said the planned meeting was an attempt to call for an independent republic within Namibia.Van Wyk said it appeared from information gathered that this meeting was open only to those who “registered with their blood” in an attempt to gain back “their property” from the government. “This is something the UPM and its members will never support. Information given by the organisers is misleading, false and clearly a decision taken by a small faction without the knowledge of the majority of the Rehoboth Basters. “According to them, the Baster court has already summonsed the Namibian government in an attempt to get back land and other properties. The UPM wants to make it clear that no such institution exists currently, as no 'Volksraad' is in place as required by the Paternal Law. “The organisers do not have any powers in terms of the Paternal Law to deny members of the Rehoboth Baster community the right to attend meetings of the Rehoboth Baster community and to elect a kaptein,” he said.JEMIMA BEUKES

Furore over acting 'kaptein'

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-02

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Furore over acting 'kaptein'

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-02

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